The Parmesan cheese and bread crumb crust and topping of this soufflé will be browner and crunchier when prepared in a gratin dish, making it easier to serve at the table. It can also be made in a conventional soufflé dish.

Wash the spinach (or broccoli rabe) and transfer it, still wet, to a skillet. Cook over medium-high heat for 2 minutes, until wilted. Remove from the heat and cool.

Drain the spinach (or broccoli rabe) and coarsely chop it; set aside.

Mix the bread crumbs and 3 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese together in a small bowl.

Using 1 teaspoon of the butter, grease the sides and bottom of a 6-cup gratin dish. Add half of the bread crumb mixture and shake the dish until the crumbs coat the sides and bottom. Set aside.

Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons butter in a saucepan. Add the flour, mixing with a whisk, and cook over medium-high heat for about 30 seconds. Whisk in the milk, salt, and pepper, bring to a boil, whisking constantly, and cook, whisking, until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat and whisk in the egg yolks. Add the reserved spinach (or broccoli rabe) and the ham and mix well.

Beat the 5 egg whites in a large bowl until firm but still soft. Fold them into the spinach (or broccoli rabe) mixture, along with the remaining tablespoon of cheese.

Pour the soufflé mixture into the prepared gratin dish and sprinkle the remaining bread crumb mixture on top.

Place the dish on a cookie sheet, and bake in the center of the oven for about 30 minutes, until the soufflé is set and the top is puffy and brown.

Spoon the soufflé directly from the gratin dish onto plates and serve immediately. (The soufflé can be unmolded from the dish by inverting it onto a plate, if you would prefer to present it in this way.)

Question: The recipe talks about 1/2 c parmesan but only uses 1/4 c. Where does the rest go?

TakeMeFishing

Beat the 5 egg whites in a large bowl until firm but still soft. Fold them into the spinach (or broccoli rabe) mixture, along with the remaining tablespoon of cheese.

MNLaurie

I only used 3 eggs and it turned out fine. And, surprisingly, the leftovers were very tasty–the flavors had a chance to really meld, and the texture was a little firmer.

Nicholas

i tried this recipe twice in a large Ramekin and a glass Pyrex like Jacque used on the show. The flavor and texture were wonderful but it didn’t rise like it did for Jacque. Wish I knew why.

Mark K.

I’ve made this recipe twice and it is my first successful effort at a souffle. It is quite easy if you follow the instructions faithfully. I also used a copper bowl to make the egg whites and cleaned it as Jaques descibes on the segment. Thank you Jaques.